The Naperville City Council on April 7 approved a 236-unit apartment complex planned for land near Route 59 and 75th Street.
Referred to as The Atlas, the apartment complex planned for 2939 Audrey Ave. will feature 77 studio, 133 one-bedroom and 26 two-bedroom apartments. The five story building will also include amenities such as a pool, fitness center and coworking space intended to appeal to a mix of young adults and older active adults.
The development sits on land that was annexed into the city in 1997 and was originally approved for a 170-unit senior living facility called the Audrey Senior Residences in 2023. That facility, however, never ended up coming to fruition.
While the site totals 6.2 acres, only about 4.6 acres of that would be used for The Atlas. The remaining land would be reserved for future commercial or retail use due to its proximity to Route 59, per previous reporting. The property is surrounded by the Mayfair of Naperville townhomes, located north and east of the property, and shopping areas to the south and west.
“Naperville is a unique community, and The Atlas will reflect this by promoting social connectivity, shared spaces, and thoughtful design,” Developer and Partner at Bridge Capital Partners Alexander Shalavi said in a press release. “Its location will offer residents convenient access to the recreation, retail, and hospitality options that make Naperville a great place to live.”
It is not the first housing development Bridge Capital Partners has brought to Naperville. Currently, through its related companies, Bridge Capital Partners owns and manages more than 1,500 apartment homes in Naperville, including the 5th Avenue Station, One Nineteen on Main and the Belvedere Apartments at 111th Street.
Shalavi has previously told The Sun that he wanted to bring this housing development to south Naperville specifically to enhance the “richness of the community.” Part of what made this plot of land attractive was the potential for residents to walk to a number of stores in the area, including Whole Foods, DICK’s Sporting Goods and Old Navy.
On top of that, The Atlas is two miles south of the Route 59 Metra station for accessibility to Chicago, and a Pace bus stop sits just west of the property. Harris Fawell Park is east of the site along Fort Hill Drive.
Rents at The Atlas are expected to range from $1,725 to $2,465 a month, meeting the standards for attainable housing in Naperville, and 48 units will be designed to be easily adaptable into accessible living units if necessary.
Council unanimously approved the development Tuesday night, although one person expressed opposition to the development in a written comment.
“As an ongoing Naperville resident here for 55-plus years, anyone can see this area is a blossoming vital commercial area adding for Naperville’s benefit,” Rosalyn Urbanek wrote, adding that the characteristics of The Atlas are “out of character for the surrounding area” due to the proximity to Route 59 and commercial development.
“I expected more commercial in harmony within this area. I do not want my property harmed in any way now or later when it redevelops,” she wrote.
Urbanek expressed a similar concern at the city’s February Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, but commissioners largely felt that the development – especially with its density – was well-suited for the area.
“We appreciate the Council’s approval and look forward to bringing this concept to fruition,” Shalavi said. “Our experience owning and operating several of Naperville’s premier rental communities shaped The Atlas’s design and amenities. We look forward to offering residents a distinctive option tailored to this generation’s preferences.”
cstein@chicagotribune.com
